Decided to get the Michelin A/s 3+’s instead of the Conti DWS 06’s. Thank you all for your great input above. Been thinking about it for days. Today, took a 200 drive in my WRX, and even though one of its mods is the Perrin steering dampener, I am still not impressive with the car’s initial steering responsiveness. While some cars handle easily with one hand on the wheel, my WRX (and I blame part of this on my state’s marginal roads in some places), is easier to drive with two hands on the wheel. It just does not turn in as quickly and precisely as I want it to (nor did it when new 1 1/2 years ago).
So today did even more research, specifically comparing the stock tires (the marginal Dunlop Sport Maxx RT’s), the Continental DWS 06’s and the Michelin A/s 3+’s.
Here is the one summary sentence on what TireRack would like to see improved on the Continental DWS 06: What We'd Improve: Could use a step up in dry handling and steering response.
Damn, this is exactly what my car needs to improve on.
And conversely, precise and sharp turn in is how TireRack describes the Michelin A/S 3+’s, Tire Rack stating, “With direct and precise steering, balanced handling and impressive measured data, the Michelin earns the highest score in two of our three overall subjective categories and is a close second in the other.
Lastly I looked at the below TireRack comparative chart, specifically their line evaluating, “STEERING RESPONSE.” Not saying the DWS’s are not great tires, but for what I specifically want, I will be getting the Michelin A/S 3+’s.
Thank you all for your help in your above, helpful posts.